The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) to accelerate broadband penetration, enhance digital infrastructure, and pave the way for a fully connected Nigeria. The initiative was unveiled yesterday in Lagos, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani—represented by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida—stressed that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that broadband penetration in Nigeria has grown from 6% in 2015 to approximately 42% as of October 2024, but further expansion is needed to ensure nationwide high-speed internet access.
Tijani highlighted the challenges hindering broadband adoption, including underutilized fibre networks, lack of digital infrastructure in underserved areas, limited access to devices, low digital literacy, regulatory hurdles, and power supply issues. He emphasized that bridging this gap is essential for achieving the government’s target of 70% broadband penetration by 2025, delivering minimum internet speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas, and expanding coverage to 80% of the population by 2027.
The NBAN initiative aims to drive broadband adoption by aggregating demand across key sectors such as education, healthcare, religious institutions, and markets. This approach, Tijani explained, will help lower costs, improve affordability, and encourage widespread usage, ultimately transforming broadband into a catalyst for socio-economic development.Maida added that NBAN provides a framework to address key obstacles and unlock Nigeria’s digital potential.
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, where industry experts explored solutions for a digitally inclusive Nigeria. Kaduna State Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Patience Fakai, reaffirmed Kaduna’s commitment to NBAN’s vision, emphasizing that broadband is the backbone of economic growth, innovation, and governance transformation.
